String octet

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First page of the autograph manuscript score of Mendelssohn's String Octet One possible ensemble layout

A string octet is a piece of music written for eight string instruments, or sometimes the group of eight players.[1] It usually consists of four violins, two violas and two cellos, or four violins, two violas, a cello and a double bass.

## Notable string octets

[edit]

First page of the autograph manuscript score of Bruch's String Octet

Most frequently performed string octets include:

* Felix Mendelssohn – Octet, Op. 20
* Max Bruch – String Octet in B♭ major (with bass replacing the second cello)

Other string octets include:

* Airat Ichmouratov – Octet for strings in G minor "Letter from an Unknown Woman"
* Luciano Berio – Korót (eight cellos)
* Sylvano Bussotti – Poésies à Maldoror (eight cellos)
* George Enescu – Octet in C major, Op. 7
* Niels Gade – String Octet in F major, Op. 17
* Reinhold Glière – String Octet in D Major, Op. 5
* Cristóbal Halffter – Fandango (eight cellos)
* Gordon Jacob
* Suite (eight violas)
* Cello Octet (eight cellos)
* Tomás Marco – Miró (eight cellos)
* Darius Milhaud – Octet for Strings, Op. 291
* Arvo Pärt
* Fratres (version for eight cellos)
* L'abbé Agathon (eight cellos)
* Joachim Raff \- String Octet Op. 176
* Osmo Tapio Räihälä – Swarm
* Steve Reich – Cello Counterpoint (eight cellos)
* Kaija Saariaho – Neiges (eight cellos)
* Gunther Schuller – Hommage a Rayechka (eight cellos)
* Peter Sculthorpe – Chorale (eight cellos)
* Dmitri Shostakovich – Two Pieces for String Octet
* Giovanni Sollima – Violoncelles, vibrez! (eight cellos)
* Louis Spohr – Double Quartets Op. 65, 77, 87, 136
* Johan Svendsen – String Octet in A major, Op. 3

## See also

[edit]

* String trio
* String quartet
* String quintet
* String sextet
* Violin octet

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Riemann, Hugo. Dictionary of Music. Trans. J.A. Shedlock. Augener, 1900. 550.

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